Business spotlight: Antioch's Exotic Aquatics specializes in tropical, salt- and fresh-water fish

By Roni Gehlke

Name of Business: Exotic Aquatics

Type of business: Aquatic specialists

Owners: Michael and Catharina Mathews

Founded: Exotic Aquatics moved to Slatten Ranch in October of 2009 from its Somersville Road location where it had been for five years.

Address: 5759-E Lone Tree Way, Antioch

Phone number: 706-8855

Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday

Number of employees: two

Products and services: Exotic Aquatics specializes in tropical, salt- and fresh- water fish. They also have a selection of reptiles, frogs and geckos and a large selection of invertebrates. They also have a wide selection of aquatic supplies, including tanks, stands, coral, decorations, driftwood, lace rock, rainbow slate, live and silk plants. They also have a varied selection of fish food, including live, frozen and dehydrated. They have a selection of books on setting up fresh- and saltwater tanks. They also carry terrarium supplies and decorations. Fish and others items can be special ordered.

How did you get into the business: "This has been a lifelong hobby for both of us," Catharina Mathews said. "We decided to take our hobby one step further by opening a store."
The Mathewses first opened their store on Somersville Road and found that over the past few years the stores had been closing around them and their wasn't a lot of walk- in traffic where they were located, so they decided to make the move to the busy Slatten Ranch shopping center.

Best part about the business?: "The incredible behavior of the fish," she said. "Their intelligence can be seen in the way they interact."

Mathews said that when some of the fish see her coming they dance around the tank to get her attention.

She said they also like the fact that they get to share their hobby with others and enjoy spending time with the customers who have like hobbies.

Worst part about the business?: "These fish become my babies and it is hard to sell them," Mathews said. "You just can't replace fish that have a personality."

Key to success: "Having people support the store owners," she said. "That is appreciated and a help for success."

She also said that it helps that both she and her husband are biologists and are able to use their knowledge to help people when they are having a problem with their fish becoming sick. Also, with having been working with the business and their hobby for so many years they are able to help people set up their tanks and keep them fresh and clean.

Biggest misperception about the business: "A lot of people think that it is hard to set up a tank and keep it clean," Mathews said. "We show people techniques on how to get it started and keep it well-maintained — all of which is easy."

Future plans: Right now the Mathewses are working on expanding their customer base and keeping the store up and running in its new location. There are always new chances to bring in new fish and new products on a regular basis, she said.

— Roni Gehlke